Web-oriented image database building/control method

ABSTRACT

Enlarged image display by Jpeg is possible by a browser, compared to the Jpeg image processing. It is, however, difficult for the user to actually create an image of a scale desired by the user even if the image is visually large, since the scale is fixed. If such a request is made, it is necessary to create an image of each required scale. It is possible to view a large image because the scale of image can be varied by the wavelet conversion based on extension mapping proposed here. It is, here, easy for the user to create an image of a scale desired by the user. The image of each scale does not need to be created; and since an image of an arbitrary scale can be created from one image, an image of extension mapping can be readily created in response to the user&#39;s request. With an image processing mechanism having such a function, a unique, novel dynamic image database can readily and freely be built. The system mechanism therein is also a system that has evolved in the form not expected by conventional methods.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a supplemental technology for smoothlyrealizing storage, retrieval and processing of picture imageinformation, etc. in a predetermined information processing equipmentsuch as a computer. This technology includes the technology which iscomfortably and freely conjugated under the Internet environment andhigh-speed information communication environment such as broadband.

The basic technology of the present invention is a technology thatexpands a picture image without degrading the quality of the image. Asan accompanying technology that creates a clear detailed image from animage of low resolution and low quality without degrading the quality ofthe picture image, web environments and so on are realized; and since arequired image size and picture quality can be created from a basepicture image, a picture image database that is low cost and hasefficiency can be constructed. A high-efficient and high performancedata management of the image datum in the web environment, etc. can beexpected.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, a phrase “broad band” is widely used. Though this has themeaning of “wide band,” it is a terminology that means high speed andlarge traffic in the communication environment in the informationterminology. Clearly, today's web environment may be regarded here thatit rapidly evolves during several years. Here, a great amount of mediadata such as video image and picture image becomes transmittable on theweb.

However, on the other hand, a tendency has appeared that the number ofnew users and corporations who contract providers rapidly increases dueto the convenience of the web environment caused by speeding up incommunications, etc.; and moreover, the number of web users shows greatincreases. In addition, due to the improvement in the rapid processingperformance of computers and capacity enlargement of memory systems,opportunities that handle media data which is larger than the past inquantities has increased, and a system that is uniformly controlled hasbeen strongly demanded.

One of the important technologies which can deal with a demand of such aweb utilization environment and users (collectively called “user”hereinafter) is a picture image database system. This is a technology inwhich users are able to retrieve and display picture images incompliance with usage conditions on the web, and it becomes possible forusers to read large picture image information through the computer.

However, it is not useful to merely accumulate large picture image indatabase. In order to more effectively utilize the database, asimplicity in the operation by users, a work reduction on managers,picture image capacities on the server side, a reduction in the objectnumber, etc. are required.

It is more effective to use separately a function concentrated typedatabase system (a server accompanied by a function of picture imageoperation) and a function disperse type database system (a clientaccompanied by a function of picture image operation). Accordingly, itis also necessary to consider the construction of such database systemsthat have such functions.

At present, image database system which is currently used generally(called a “static database system” hereinafter) functions so as todisplay only some picture image which the server side has preparedbeforehand on the web browser. However, database proposed here is adatabase system (called a “dynamic data based system” hereinafter) inwhich a picture image is shown in an extended manner.

Therefore, the present invention provides a web picture image databasesystem, in which a picture image of desired size which the user requiresfrom one picture image can be produced not only by picture imageprocessing on the server side but also by the client side.

The present invention propose, as such a web picture image databasesystem, a proper approach which realizes a new database system thatexecutes an extension display operable directly and automatically, inaddition of form and quality of media data type picture image.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technology, which depends on themethod of picture image extension that can be defined as an “extensionmapping” which is a novel and unique method on wavelet transform as thebasic technology of a core of the present invention, and this is calleda “wavelet extension mapping.”

The wavelet transform is a method that includes analytic andsynthesizing process of a picture image. The analytic process is calleda reduction process, which means an operation of frequency developmentof a picture image, and the synthesizing processes is called arestoration process, which means a regeneration operation of a pictureimage. The wavelet extension mapping is a method that expands andreproduces a picture image, in which a picture image structure specifiedin the reduction process is preserved in the extension operation ofpicture image as well, as in a synthesizing operation of picture image.

A specified picture image structure in this conversion operation isshown in FIG. 1. The picture image structure shown here corresponds to afrequency distribution of a picture image. L in this figure correspondsto a low frequency region of the frequency component on the pictureimage luminance, and H corresponds to a high frequency range. The regionL is further decomposed, depending upon the decomposition level, intoregions of LL, LLL. For example, in the decomposition level (2), regionsLH and HL, in which the reduction/resolution process is an intermediatefrequency, are generated. An example of actual picture imagedecomposition to which the decomposition level (2) corresponds is shownin FIG. 2.

Apparently, since the region L clearly corresponds to the outline of theshape of an object picture image, the decomposition process can becalled a compression process, and the synthesizing process can be calledrestoration process; however, the region L is mostly not compressed. Inthe region H, etc., a two-dimensional high frequency component ispreserved.

In respect to the actual reduction process, a concrete picture imageresolution is shown in FIG. 2.

The wavelet transform is a conversion on the frequency domain; and byapplying this to a picture image structure, a picture image processingsuch as resolution (compression) and synthesis (decompression)conversions, etc. are executed. Here, a structure of saving, whichnaturally depends on frequency development based on the decompositionoperation, is considered as a picture image structure for conversion.

As described above, the wavelet transform is a method developed, usuallyas well as Fourier transformation, with a purpose of picture imagequality management such as picture image enhancement and picture imageadjustment; and it is a conversion related to the frequency domain.

The wavelet transform is not positively used as an operation ofcompression and restoration. The reason for this is considered that itscompression is not as sufficient as expected.

In the wavelet extension mapping, an operation of picture imageextension is realized, based upon picture image structure, as arecursive structure. In the wavelet transform, with algorithm thatrecursively uses resolution, a picture image extension is executed.

In the fractal operation, a picture image extension by the recursivestructure is called a fractal extension mapping. Following the pictureimage extension in the fractal transformation, the picture imageextension by the recursive structure is called a wavelet extensionmapping.

The fractal extension mapping is a method for carrying out extension andreduction by a geometric similarity law of the shape. The operation ofthis kind is used in the technology of encryption executed bycompression and restoration.

Fractal compression in the picture image processing is an operation thatis based on reduction mapping. The reduction mapping is a kind ofgeometric conversion based on affine transformation; and the affinetransformation is a geometric operation that depends upon, in additionto rotation and parallel translation, a deformation operation and anextension and reduction of a shape.

The fractal extension is an inverse transform of the reduction mapping.Like the restoration process, it is a conversion operation by theinformation structure of the reduction mapping. What makes the fractaltransformation differs from the wavelet transform is that though thewavelet transform is a conversion on the frequency that corresponds to apicture image luminance, the fractal transformation means a geometricconversion on an object shape.

Though the content of conversion is different, their fundamentalstructures are similar to each other; and a concept in which a pictureimage structure that is specified in the conversion is preserved isused. By way of positively recognizing the algorithmic structure thatpreserves the property in such an inverse transform, the extensionmapping is sufficiently expected in the wavelet transform.

The wavelet extension mapping can be realized as a process of obtainingan extended picture image of an original picture image, if therestoration process, which is an inverse transform that takes theoriginal picture image as operation object picture image/synthesizingand regeneration picture image in the extension operation, isrecursively executed.

A picture image, which is expanded four times larger than the originalpicture image by the process of actual wavelet extension mapping, isshown in FIG. 3.

Using the above mechanism of image extension as a core, a mechanism inwhich a picture image processing caused by wavelet transform isincorporated can be established. With this incorporated mechanism, aunitary picture image processing becomes possible, and, therefore, thisis called an integrated wavelet type picture image processing mechanism.

Taking the integrated wavelet type picture image processing mechanism asa core, a novel and unique database can be constructed. Here, theintegrated wavelet type picture image processing mechanism is providedas a support system of DBMS (Data Base Management System). In addition,a picture image of the low frequency component obtained by resolutionprocess of the wavelet transform is used for the thumbnail as pictureimage database. Simultaneously, information on the frequency obtained bypicture image information of resolution process is chiefly stored in thepicture image database. As a retrieval function of the picture imagedatabase, a relational database is prepared as a metafile.

On the other hand, a server concentrated dynamic picture image databasesystem can be constructed as a good flexibility and efficiency system inthe web environment. In addition, a client distributed dynamic pictureimage database can be constructed as a system in which a flexibleefficiency is good.

In the server concentrated dynamic picture image database system, theintegrated wavelet type picture image processing mechanism is providedas a core of the server browser. Likewise, the integrated wavelet typepicture image processing mechanism is provided in the client distributeddynamic picture image database as a core of the client browser. As aresult, picture image database in which a retrieval precision is highunlike conventional image database is expected. At the same time, a WWW(World Wide Web) system that has a high utilization level, whichinvolves, as its core, a dynamic picture image database of shapes andwhich suits the web environment, can be constructed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a picture image structure obtained, as a resolutionprocess, by the wavelet transform.

FIG. 2 shows actual concrete picture image resolution in the reductionprocess by wavelet transform.

FIG. 3 shows a four-time extended picture image of the original pictureimage which is done by the actual wavelet extension mapping process.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanism of a server concentrated dynamic web pictureimage database.

FIG. 5 shows the mechanism of a client distributed dynamic web pictureimage database.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of the server concentrated dynamic webdatabase system.

FIG. 7 is a state transition diagram of the server concentrated dynamicweb database system.

FIG. 8 is a configuration of the client distributed dynamic web databasesystem.

FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram of the client distributed dynamicweb database system.

FIG. 10 shows the hierarchical structure in a wavelet system that is acore in the integrated picture image processing mechanism.

FIG. 11 shows the recursive procedure and example of procedure in theintegrated picture image processing method.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Here, two systems will be described as examples.

One of the examples is a server concentrated dynamic picture imagedatabase system, and another one of the examples is a client distributedpicture image database system.

The fundamental structure of the server concentrated dynamic web pictureimage database system is the same as the structure of the static webpicture image database system currently used, and therefore, thefunction of the server concentrated dynamic web picture image databasesystem is divided into a server side and a client side. In thissituation, a CGI environment, which is comprised of web database and apicture image processing function on the server side and a web browseron the client side, is constructed.

In this case, it becomes possible that a user issues a request andacquires information and picture image which coincide with theinformation of a retrieval key. Moreover, in the static web pictureimage database system, when a requested picture image which coincideswith the retrieval information is small and a strain exists in thepicture image, a situation in which a given information cannot becorrectly recognized by the user would occur.

However, in the server concentrated dynamic web picture image databasesystem, by way of building therein an integrated picture imageprocessing mechanism which positively utilizes CGI of the server side, apicture image of multiple extension mapping can be composed by one sheetof displaying picture image that corresponds to the retrievalinformation; accordingly, it is possible to realize a required pictureimage by adjusting to the magnification which the user requested. Inaddition, by way of introducing the dynamic web image database system,it is possible to form a system that can satisfy a seller who needs tocorrectly transmit information to a user who requests a display ofrepaired spots of scratches, dents, etc. for a used car retrieval siteand to a user who requests visual information of, for instance, a layoutand direction and the condition of the interior finishing for aresidential information site.

For a server manager, it is not necessary to create a newly extendedpicture image in addition to an image that is created and displayed forusers and sellers, and only the necessity is to upload beforehand onlyone sheet of original picture in the display of the server side.Therefore, management becomes very easy for a server manager of theretrieval site. Also, it becomes possible to give immediacy in theretrieval site, because a user does not need to request an extendedpicture image to the manager.

Furthermore, on the server side in the dynamic web picture imagedatabase system, increase in the individual picture image information,in addition to a large-scale increase in the number of objects that isseen in the static web picture image database system, can be eliminated.It is also possible to eliminate such a secondary obstacle asperformance degradation that is caused by memory shortage in thedatabase server. In addition, since the manager of the server is able toavoid claims of users as much as possible, users and sellers that usesuch a retrieval site can expect improvement in the service, and as aresult, the user number increase can be naturally expected.

In FIG. 4, a series of this action is schematically shown from theviewpoint of user and server manager, and the procedure will bedescribed.

The flow of the operating procedure in this case is shown below. Morespecifically,

-   -   {circle over (1)} A manager uploads a compressed picture image        so as to create a picture image database system and to start the        service.    -   {circle over (2)} In the web site implemented the web picture        image database system therein, a user issues a reading request        of the database system through web browser.    -   {circle over (3)} The picture image database system, which        received the reading request from the client, analyzes the        reading request. The result is reported in the form of a        response for reading (response) to the client.    -   {circle over (4)} The client receives the response for reading        which the picture image database system issued, and it is        offered in the form of display of picture image information to        the user.    -   {circle over (5)} If the user is satisfied with the received        picture image information, the process ends at this point.        However, if the picture image information is imperfect and        unrecognizable for the user, then the user issues an enlarging        (extension) request to the server.    -   {circle over (6)} When the enlarging request from the user is        received, the picture image database system executes picture        image processing immediately and performs extension mapping to        the size that meets the user's request from the client.    -   {circle over (7)} In order to provide a picture image of        extension mapping, the picture image database system carries out        a response for extension through the web for the client.    -   {circle over (8)} The user reads the extension mapping via the        client.

However, the fundamental structure of the client distributed dynamic webpicture image database system differs from the structures of the staticweb picture image database system used conventionally and of the serverconcentrated dynamic web picture image database system presented here;and functions of picture image processing, etc. are dispersedly providedin each of the client side and server side. Here, a CGI environment,which possesses the web database capability, is established in theserver side, when the client application of a web browser for requestand a combined picture image response and picture image processing areembedded in the client side.

In other words, a user issues a request; and as a result, it becomespossible that information and picture image, which coincide with theretrieval key, are acquired.

As described above, in the static web picture image database system, agiven information cannot be accurately recognized by the user when thereis a strain in the picture image and when a picture image that coincideswith retrieval information is small.

On the other hand, in the server concentrated dynamic web picture imagedatabase system, the picture image of multiple extension mapping whichcoincides with the magnification which the user requests from thedisplaying picture image that is given as a result of retrieval can beacquired by building in the integrated picture image processingmechanism using CGI of the server side. Clearly, use of the serverconcentrated dynamic web picture image database system in thelarge-scale network environment is not adequate, because imageprocessing, etc. is carried out for each access to every picture basedon the integrated picture image treatment mechanism on the server side.

Therefore, if the integrated picture image treatment mechanism isdispersed to clients, and image processing, etc. is executed, then theinformation processing quantity in the server can be reduced.

Like in the server concentrated dynamic web picture image databasesystem, if the retrieval site server manager retains, in addition to thepicture image being displayed for users and sellers, only one sheet oforiginal picture beforehand as a retrieval and display picture image onthe server side and uploads this original picture without newly makingextended picture image, then it is possible to deal with all thedemands; and as a result, the management of database becomes easy. Inaddition, it becomes possible for the retrieval site to have aninstancy, because the user does not need to request the manager for anextended picture image.

In other words, in the server side and client side of the dynamic webpicture image database system, response methods and efficiency to theclient, etc. can be decided by way of taking account the appropriateprocessing quantity in each site so that the system can meet the LAN andexclusive lines, the line speeds in dial up, the number of terminals andthe number of people who make an access.

As seen from the above, the system is able to work effectively undervarious network environments, if a service that corresponds to thenetwork environment is offered; and reuse of information becomespossible in order to conjugate as very useful information when, forinstance, a system is newly constructed.

A series of actions are made into a diagram and shown in FIG. 5 in theviewpoint of a user and server manager, and the procedure will beexplained.

The flow of operating procedure in this case is shown below. Morespecifically,

-   -   {circle over (1)} A manager establishes a picture image database        system; and in order to start service, a compressed picture        image is uploaded by the manager as a base picture image.    -   {circle over (2)} To a web site which has the picture image        database system that has been established, a demand (request)        for reading is issued through web browser in which the user is a        client for the database system.    -   {circle over (3)} The picture image database system which        received the reading request from the client side analyzes the        reading request and reports a response for reading (response) to        the client side.    -   {circle over (4)} The client restores the compressed picture        image received from the picture image database system.    -   {circle over (5)} If the user is satisfied with the restoration        image information, the process ends at this point. If, however,        the picture image information is insufficient to the content of        the user, the user issues an enlarging (extension) request to        the server.    -   {circle over (6)} When the enlarging request from the user is        received, the picture image database system retransmits the        compressed picture image to the client.    -   {circle over (7)} The client carries out picture image        processing immediately and expands the picture image to the size        which the user requests for.    -   {circle over (8)} A picture image with an extension mapping is        displayed for the user as a result of the response for extension        in the client side who executes the picture image operation and        processing as an extension mapping.

For each one of the examples of the system that has the functiondescribed above, details will be described below.

The server concentrated dynamic web picture image database systempresented here is constructed in a three-layer structure in accordancewith functions. The entire structure is shown in FIG. 6.

The first layer constitutes an existing general web browser, and it isprovided as a client part. Here, the user makes a request for thedatabase and receives responses.

The second layer is comprised of three parts including: a web serverthat has a role to receive a request from the first layer and returns aresponse to the first layer, a CGI technology that executes compressionand restoration of a picture image and takes synchronization with eachdatabase on the server side, and a web database driver that fulfills aninterface function for the meta database (which is a database in which astructure and storage location of picture images are inputted) thusmaking an operation from the web possible. These three parts are thecore of the system.

The third layer is comprised of a meta database server, which responds ametadata of a picture images that is suitable for the conditionscorresponding to the request from the second layer, and a picture imagedatabase, which responds the picture image datum to the web server by arequest from the web server who received the metadata.

FIG. 7 shows, in the form of a state transition diagram, the procedurein which a client in the server concentrated dynamic web picture imagedatabase system receives a demanded picture image, wherein the objectnames are arranged laterally and the time is arranged longitudinally.

Steps for obtaining a demanded picture image in the server concentrateddynamic web picture image database.

-   -   {circle over (1)} From a web browser, which is a client, a        retrieval request by the user is issued to a web server.    -   {circle over (2)} The web server transfers the retrieval        request, which the client asked for, to a CGI that has a        database system and a picture image processing mechanism.    -   {circle over (3)} CGI provides an order, which contains the        retrieval request from the client, to a database driver.    -   {circle over (4)} The database driver rewrites the order into a        format that is suitable for the meta database so that the        retrieval request can be transmitted to the meta database, and        the database driver provides the rewritten order to the meta        database.    -   {circle over (5)} After receiving the retrieval request, the        meta database provides a retrieval response, which corresponds        to the request, to the database driver.    -   {circle over (6)} The database driver receives and rewrites the        retrieval response for CGI use and provides it to CGI.    -   {circle over (7)} CGI, upon receipt of the retrieval response,        starts analysis, and it downloads the compressed picture image        from the picture image database on the web.    -   {circle over (8)} CGI respond to the web server with the        retrieval response and picture image response.    -   {circle over (9)} The web server, when the response group is        received from CGI, makes, in accordance with the order of CGI,        the compressed picture image information so as to be shown on a        browser, and then a response is made to the client.    -   {circle over (10)} When the user dissatisfies the size of the        received picture image, a enlarging (extension) request on this        picture image is created for the client.    -   {circle over (11)} The web server provides the enlarging request        to CGI when the enlarging request is received from the client.    -   {circle over (12)} When the enlarging request is received, CGI        downloads the picture image from the picture image database,        carries out an extension mapping based on the requested        magnification, and executes a wavelet transform.    -   {circle over (13)} CGI responds to the web server with the        result.    -   {circle over (14)} The web server makes the result into a format        that can be shown on a browser and responds to the client with a        final picture image information.

The client distributed dynamic web database system is also formed in athree-layer structure that has different functions. The entireconstruction in this case is shown in FIG. 8.

In the first layer, an exclusive-use application, which is in a form ofan existing general web browser and picture image viewer (viewingprogram), is considered as a client part. Here, the user makes a requestfor the database and receives responses; and it is possible to receive aresponse for extension via a viewer.

The second layer is comprised of: a web server that undertakes the roleto receive a request from the first layer and returns a response to thefirst layer, a CGI technology that executes compression and restorationof a picture image and takes synchronization with each database on theserver side, and a web database driver that fulfills an interfacefunction for the metadata base (which is a database in which a structureand storage location of picture images are inputted), thus making anoperation from the web possible. The second layer is the core of thesystem.

The third layer is comprised of: a meta database server, which send tothe second layer a response of a metadata of a picture image that issuitable for the conditions corresponding to the request from the secondlayer, and a picture image database, which send a response of thepicture image datum to the web server by a request from the web serverwho received the metadata.

Next, the procedure in which a client of the client distributed webpicture image database system receives a demanded picture image will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9 in the form of a state transitiondiagram, wherein the object names are arranged laterally and the time isarranged longitudinally.

Steps for obtaining a demanded picture image in the client distributeddynamic web picture image database.

-   -   {circle over (1)} Through web browser, which is a client, a        retrieval request is generated, as an operation result by the        user, to the web server.    -   {circle over (2)} The web server provides the retrieval request,        which the client requested, to CGI that has a database system        and picture image processing mechanism.    -   {circle over (3)} CGI provides the order, which contains a        retrieval request from the client, to the database driver.    -   {circle over (4)} The database driver rewrites the order into a        format that is suitable for the meta database so that the        retrieval request can be transmitted to the meta database, and        the database driver provides the rewritten order to the meta        database.    -   {circle over (5)} After receiving the retrieval request, the        meta database provides a retrieval response that corresponds to        the demand to the database driver.    -   {circle over (6)} The database driver rewrites the retrieval        response for CGI use upon receiving the retrieval response and        provides it to CGI.    -   {circle over (7)} CGI starts analysis when the retrieval        response is received, and it downloads a compressed picture        image from the picture image database on the web.    -   {circle over (8)} CGI sends a retrieval response and compressed        picture image response to the web server.    -   {circle over (9)} The web server, when the response group from        CGI is received, makes, in accordance with the order of CGI, a        compressed picture image information to be shown on a browser        and responds to the client with the information.    -   {circle over (10)} a When the size of the requested picture        image is dissatisfactory to the user, an enlarging (extension)        request for the object picture image from the client is        generated.    -   {circle over (11)} When the enlarging request is received from        the client, the web server provides the enlarging request to        CGI.    -   {circle over (12)} When the reading request is received, CGI        downloads the compressed picture image from the picture image        database and provides it to the web server as a response for        extension.    -   {circle over (13)} The web server executes, in an exclusive-use        application for a viewer, a response for extension on the        compressed picture image that is responsive to the response for        extension.    -   {circle over (14)} Upon receipt of the response for extension,        based on the wavelet system, the exclusive-use application for a        viewer decompresses the compressed picture image and displays it        in the viewer.

The integrated picture image processing mechanism, which is a core ofthe dynamic picture image database and fulfills the role of basictechnology, will be described. Here, the hierarchy of the waveletmethod, which is a core of the dynamic picture image database, namelythe hierarchical structure, is shown in FIG. 10. In this case, it can befreely done that a picture image quality is adjusted by linking othercomponent by way of making LL component to be the basic structure in therestoration process.

The extension mapping that uses the wavelet transform which is the basicfunction of the picture image processing mechanism of the dynamicpicture image database system, as described above, keeps the frequencystructure of a picture image, which is specified in the dissociationprocess that is a reduction mapping, in the extension mapping; and it isa picture image processing method (that is called hereinafter a “wavelettransform based on extension mapping”) that is used recursively as analgorithm. What is constructed on the basis of wavelet transform basedon such extension mapping is a core of the picture image processingmechanism.

The structural content of the above-described method can be described asa next conversion.

The picture image upon which the wavelet transform is executed isdecomposed into components LL, LH, HL and HH.

Within the above, in a part in which the value of the concentration ofthe frequency component is high, the high component of shape and colorconsistency of the picture image is included in the frequency componentLL. Though the wavelet transform can be restored in LL component only asdescribed above, the resultant is a low quality picture image; thus anoriginal picture image is condensed as level 1 of the wavelet transform,and then it is restored in level 1. Afterwards, it is placed, afterpreparation of a picture image space of double size, as an LL componentin the picture image space. However, the space except the LL space iscompulsorily made to be 0. In addition, the picture image processing canbe constituted as a picture image which is equivalent to level 1 aswavelet conversion only by the LL component based on the method forsynthesizing double picture image space in level 1 of wavelet transform.The scale of the restoration picture image here is a double size of theoriginal picture image. Clearly, though the picture image structuredetermined as a resolution process is naturally preserved in therestoration process, a recursive structure relation is considered in theextension process. That is to say, the method of extension mapping whichcan be defined as a recursive restoration treatment is the picture imageprocessing method. This recursive procedure and process are shown inFIG. 11.

1. A method which is comprised of, as a core structure for a unitarytreatment of an integrated picture image processing mechanism, the stepsof: forming a frequency structure in a dissociation process that is areduction mapping of wavelet transform, and executing wavelet extensionmapping in which said frequency structure is recursively used in anextension operation, said frequency structure being preserved.
 2. Amethod which is an upper level mechanism related to the method of claim1, wherein said method is comprised of the steps of: combining a pictureimage processing, which is based on wavelet transform, with a waveletextension mapping, executing thereby a unitary processing, and formingan integration-oriented picture image processing mechanism that has amechanism which realizes integrated management and control.
 3. A methodwhich is an upper level mechanism related to the method of claim 2,wherein said method is comprised of, in constructing database supportand management system of picture image database, the steps of:incorporating an integrated picture image processing mechanism,realizing metafile as a retrieval system and utilizing a picture imageattribute, and managing and controlling picture image database thereby.4. A method which is a system related to the method of claim 3, whereinsaid method is comprised of, in constructing dynamic picture imagedatabase which can realize web-oriented picture image database, thesteps of: forming a system that satisfies a client's demand of pictureimage size and picture image quality by, in addition to a processingfunction of web server, a function of integrated picture imageprocessing mechanism; and constructing and utilizing server concentrateddynamic picture image database on which a concentrated management isperformed.
 5. A method which is a system related to the method of claim3, wherein said method is comprised of, in constructing dynamic pictureimage database which can realize web-oriented picture image database,the steps of: forming a system in which a client satisfies himself witha demand of picture image size and picture image quality in a selfreference style, said client adding and integrating, as a client'sfunction, a function of integrated picture image processing mechanism inaddition to a processing function of web server; and constructing clientdistributed dynamic picture image database on which a dispersivemanagement is performed.
 6. A medium, which is recorded with a pictureimage processing program, characterized in that said program, as a corestructure of a unitary processing for integrated picture imageprocessing mechanism: forms a frequency structure in a dissociationprocess which is a reduction mapping of wavelet transform, and executeswavelet extension mapping which recursively uses said frequencystructure in an extension operation, said frequency structure beingpreserved; and whereby said program allows a computer to function forwavelet extension mapping.
 7. A medium, which is recorded with a pictureimage processing program based mainly on a wavelet extension mapping,characterized in that said program: combines a picture image processingbased on wavelet transform with wavelet extension mapping, executesthereby a unitary processing, and forms an integration-oriented pictureimage processing mechanism that has a mechanism which realizesintegrated management and control; wherein said program allows acomputer to function as an integration-oriented picture image processingmechanism.
 8. A medium, which is recorded with a management and controlprogram, characterized in that said program, in constructing databasesupport and management system of picture image database: incorporates anintegrated picture image processing mechanism, realizes a metafile as aretrieval system and utilizes a picture image attribute, and manages andcontrols picture image database thereby; and wherein said program allowsa computer to fumction to manage and control the picture image database.9. A medium, which is recorded with a program that drives serverconcentrated dynamic picture image database, characterized in that saidprogram, in constructing dynamic picture image database which canrealize web-oriented picture image database: forms a system thatsatisfies a client's demand of picture image size and picture qualityby, in addition to a processing function of web server, a function ofintegrated picture image processing, and forms server concentrateddynamic picture image database on which a concentrated management isperformed; and wherein said program allows a computer to function as aserver concentrated dynamic picture image database.
 10. A medium, whichis recorded with a program that drives client distributed dynamicpicture image database, characterized in that said program, inconstructing dynamic picture image database which can realize aweb-oriented picture image database: forms a system in which a clientsatisfies himself with a demand of picture image size and picture imagequality in a self reference style, said client adding and integrating,as a client's function, a function of integrated picture imageprocessing mechanism in addition to a processing function of web server,and forms client distributed dynamic picture image database on which adispersive management is performed; and wherein said program allows acomputer to function-as a client distributed dynamic picture imagedatabase.